"WE'VE missed you Plymouth", bawled front man Ricky Wilson about three songs into their sweaty sell-out show at the Pavilions on Saturday night.

The Kaiser Chiefs were back in town as part of their first full UK tour proper after having taken a deliberate and well deserved hiatus for around eighteen months, following a manic five years of incessant touring.

But much as the break was needed, it was also something of a gamble. As we all know, anything can happen in a year in music, and indeed the hole left by the slew of Brit Pop providers of the mid/late noughties – many of which seem to have disappeared without trace – has been densely populated by the beardy, checked-shirt, folk brigade.

With perky pop songs of the Kaisers and co making way for the more mature, harmony drenched acoustica following in the wake of the Mumfords, would there even be a palate for this football terrace style rousing tunage anymore?

From the opening lines of their debut song, 'Every Day I Love You Less and Less' there was little doubt that love for the Kaisers had in no way diminished.

We were off on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride of up vibe, familiar feel good songs, and the packed Pavilions crowd were well up for it. With barely a breather between songs and only the odd shouted aside, the band made every single song count in their mission to keep the momentum at full throttle throughout.

Each time there was a new song from their come back album, The Future Is Medieval, Ricky would prepare the way, getting the clapping started, the chorus learned. But he need not have worried. The new material may be more complex and mature musically – Pink Floyd psychedelia and 80s electronica certainly infiltrated at times – but their ability to pen accessible music comes through and by the end of each, they always had the crowd on side.

Such big tunes require little dressing up and the stage set was basic. However it was augmented by spectacular two tone lighting effects, which turned to full on red for the announcement of Ruby Ruby Ruby – when the entire auditorium erupted, continuing the hysteria for the following Angry Mob and Na Na Na Na Naa then I Predict A Riot.

Inevitably, Ricky – appearing more hyper than ever and looking like he's shed a few pounds since their last visit, or was it just the skinny jeans? – did his usual disappearing trick from the stage to emerge on the balcony and whip up further frenzy from on high, before returning to the front for the encore and a last hurrah with the brilliant Oh My God.

As the five left the stage, the cheering said it all.

We've missed you Kaiser Chiefs, welcome back!